Gibbs receives endorsement

Thursday

On Feb. 13, a local politician, state Sen. Bob Gibbs, R-Lakeville, came one step closer to facing U.S. Representative Zack Space, D-Dover at the polls Nov. 2.

The Holmes County Republican Party endorsed Gibbs for the 18th Congressional DIstrict at the party's Saturday meeting.

"We think he's the best able of the four candidates we are aware of running," said Holmes County Republican Chairman Rob Hovis. "We feel he is the best candidate to represent Holmes County and win the election in November."

It was his legislative experience on the state level, and his association with the Ohio Farm Bureau, that made Gibbs the best choice, Hovis said.

On Nov. 4, 2008, Gibbs was elected as state senator for the 22nd District, which includes Holmes, Medina, Wayne and part of Ashland counties. Before 2008, he served three terms as a state representatives.

"I'm just really concerned about the direction this country is headed, just the massive deficit spending is really frightening for the future of our children and their children," Gibbs said. "I meet every day with business people, and everyone's scared to death of the future with the policies coming out of Washington and the unbelievable deficit spending."

Holmes is the first county to endorse a contender for the Republican nomination, which still leaves the other 15 counties in the district to issue endorsements.

Gibbs isn't alone in his desire to take Space's seat.

Republican businessman Beau Bromberg from Tuscarawas County and Zanesville lawyer, Republican Jeanette Moll, have hosted town hall meetings and have expressed their intent to run against Space.

Republican and former Director of the Ohio Department of Agriculture, Fred Dailey, who ran against Space in 2008, is trying to make another bid for Space's seat.

Another contender present at Saturday's meeting of the Holmes County Republican Party was Dover pastor, Hobre Liggett. Liggett, a supporter of the Tea Party movement, is also hoping to receive the Republican nomination to run against Space.

But, there could be more contenders for the Republican nomination in the 18th Congressional District race. The final filing deadline is (today) Feb. 18 and others could announce their candidacy, Gibbs said.